Charlotte FC have their first-ever homegrown participant, signing Brian Romero by means of the 2026 Main League Soccer season with an possibility for 2027.
The midfielder initially joined the membership’s academy in 2020, turning into a standout with the under-17 facet earlier than securing a first-team contract.
“Brian is an amazing younger man who likes to play soccer and has a starvation to turn out to be the very best participant he will be. He’s proven his expertise on the academy degree and for the youth nationwide crew and has the potential to turn out to be one of many nation’s high skills,” sporting director Zoran Krneta mentioned in a launch.
“It is a signing for our future. Brian nonetheless has to develop and regulate to senior soccer, however we have now a selected plan for his improvement, and he can be studying below coaches with a real ardour for mentoring and creating younger gamers. We’ve got labored since 2020 to develop our personal expertise all through the Carolinas and to signal the primary homegrown participant in membership historical past is one in every of our proudest moments.”
Watch the story of Charlotte FC’s journey to MLS in 90min’s The Making of Charlotte FC, introduced by DoorDash, on 90min channels now.Subscribe to our new US YouTube channel.
Romero has already made himself conversant in the senior squad, coming off the bench for Charlotte of their pleasant in opposition to Chelsea on July 20. He drew the late penalty kick that allowed for the 1-1 draw.
The midfielder additionally stood as one in every of two Charlotte academy gamers to hitch the primary crew’s inaugural preseason camp.
“As an academy workers, we couldn’t be extra excited for Brian to take the subsequent step in his journey and signal his first skilled contract,” govt academy director Bryan Scales mentioned in a launch.
“Brian is Charlotte by means of and thru. He’s an area younger man who has excelled on his pathway by means of our academy and on the worldwide degree, turning into a tangible instance for younger gamers throughout our area who’ve goals of turning into an expert soccer participant.”
Romero is predicted to hitch Charlotte’s MLS NEXT Professional crew for its inaugural season in 2023. He’ll signify the crew within the upcoming MLS NEXT All-Star Sport in Minnesota.